Memphis Nebraska - Nebraska Directory

Memphis Area Cameras

Village · Saunders County · Population 109 (2020 census) · ZIP 68042 · Founded 1887 · Peak population 186 (1920)

About Memphis

Memphis is a village of 109 in southeastern Saunders County, just west of NE 66 about 5 miles north of Ashland. Memphis State Recreation Area and the Memphis Lake WMA are at the edge of town.

History

The Burlington's Ashland–Schuyler branch reached the site in February 1887, and lots were sold on July 15, 1887, on John C. Owen's homestead; Owen declined the name Owenville, and the town is said to be named for Memphis, Tennessee, home of early settlers. The Bank of Memphis ran from 1902 to 1932, and the high school closed in 1950.

The lake at the state recreation area began as Armour & Company's ice pond in 1897; after the ice house burned in 1921, the Izaak Walton League pressed for a park, and the state created it in 1930. The population peaked at 186 in 1920.

Highways and trails through Memphis

Route	One way	Other way
NE 66Just east of the village	South to Ashland (about 5 mi)	West to Ithaca and Valparaiso

Nearby towns

Ashland	about 4.7 mi southeast	NE 66
Wann	about 5 mi northeast	County roads
Ithaca	about 7 mi northwest	NE 66
Mead	about 10 mi north-northwest	County roads
Yutan	about 11 mi north	County roads
Ceresco	about 11 mi west-southwest	County roads

Things to see

Memphis State Recreation Area, 799 County Road D: 163 acres and a 48-acre no-wake lake with fishing, a 1-mile trail, shelters and 18 Electric Plus campsites (state park permit required) · Memphis Lake WMA, a restored wetland north of County Road D

Health care

Nearest hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha (about 25 mi) and Wahoo (about 13 mi)

Sources: U.S. Census; Wikipedia; Andreas, History of the State of Nebraska (1882); Phillips, Past and Present of Saunders County (1915); Saunders County, Nebraska History (1983, NEGenWeb); Fitzpatrick, Nebraska Place-Names (1925); National Register of Historic Places; Nebraska Game and Parks; Lower Platte North NRD; Nebraska Department of Transportation. Distances marked "about" are estimates.